A Story Children Will Love,
Values Parents Will Appreciate
Children will discover dragons, mysteries and adventure beneath the waters of the Yellow River.
Parents will recognize a deeper invitation woven into the story: the courage to question inherited fears, the curiosity to explore beyond familiar boundaries and the confidence to discover one's own path.
Inspired by ancient Chinese legends and brought to life through luminous illustrations that echo the wonder of Van Gogh's Starry Night, this is a story that sparks imagination while opening the door to meaningful conversations long after the final page is turned.
Courage
Qian dreams of reaching the sky, even when everyone tells him it is impossible.
Curiosity
Some rules deserve to be understood, not simply obeyed. Qian learns that asking questions is where great adventures begin.
Resilience
Growth rarely happens in a straight line. Like every child, Qian learns through challenges, setbacks and discoveries.
A Story That Inspires Children to Dream Bigger
Meet The Characters
Qian
The Young Dragon
A young water dragon with a curious heart and a dream that seems impossible.
While the other dragons are content beneath the waves, Qian cannot stop wondering what lies beyond the surface. His courage will lead him on a journey that changes everything.
Wu
The Wise Turtle
An ancient turtle whose shell carries mysterious golden symbols.
Wise and patient, Wu has spent centuries observing the world and the creatures who inhabit it. Rather than giving answers, she helps others discover their own.
Kani
The Dragon Friend
Kani represents the part of us that prefers safety over adventure, certainty over change and the known over the unknown.
As Qian's journey unfolds, Kani becomes a reminder that courage is not the absence of fear. It is the choice to move forward despite it.
Get to Know the Author
Hi, I'm Marine.
As a mother of three, I often find myself wondering what kinds of stories will stay with our children in a world of endless screens and shrinking attention spans. I dream of creating books they cannot wait to return to: stories that nurture imagination, invite reflection and inspire a lifelong love of reading.
Originally from France and now living in Tel Aviv, I have spent years exploring psychology, education and the wisdom traditions that have guided people across cultures and generations. Among them, I discovered the I Ching, one of China's oldest and most influential texts, yet one that remains unfamiliar to many children and parents in the West.
Qian was born from a desire to bring that treasure to life in a new way. Through adventure, myth and breathtaking illustrations, I hope to introduce families to the beauty of Chinese culture, the richness of great storytelling and the timeless questions hidden within the I Ching: How do we face change? When do we dare to try? Who do we become when we find the courage to spread our wings?
Our crowdfunding campaign, launching soon, will help bring Qian's first adventure into children's hands and support the creation of the final illustrations for this book. More than a campaign, it is the beginning of a dream: to build a collection of stories that children treasure not only for their adventures, but for the worlds they open and the wisdom they quietly carry within them.
The Illustrator
Trang is a Vietnamese illustrator whose work transforms stories into worlds of wonder. With a remarkable sensitivity to emotion, light and detail, she creates images that invite children to linger on each page and discover something new with every reading.
For Qian, Trang draws inspiration from some of history's most beloved artists. The swirling skies of Van Gogh, the luminous golds of Klimt and the dreamlike beauty of the Impressionists come together to shape a visual universe that feels both timeless and unforgettable. These are books designed to be treasured; small masterpieces that art lovers of all ages will instantly recognize and delight in sharing with the children they love.
A significant part of our upcoming crowdfunding campaign will help bring Trang's final illustrations to life, ensuring that Qian's world is created with the care, craftsmanship and artistic ambition it deserves.
Ancient Wisdom, Reimagined
Each story draws inspiration from one of the 64 symbols of the I Ching, a 2,000-year-old Chinese classic that explores the many seasons of life.
A Dragon Who Grows With His Readers
As Qian journeys through new worlds, he evolves alongside the children who follow him; facing fears, making mistakes and discovering new strengths.
Be There From the Beginning
The story is written. The world is taking shape. Our upcoming crowdfunding campaign will help bring Qian's illustrations to life and place this first adventure into the hands of children around the world.
Stories for a Lifetime
Together, these books form a collection about becoming human: learning to begin, to persevere, to adapt, to lead, to let go and to find our place in an ever-changing world.
The Adventure Doesn't End Here
Qian and the Secret of the Water Dragons is only the first step of a much larger journey. Our dream is to create a modern mythology that children can grow up with, and perhaps one day share with children of their own.
One Dragon. 64 Adventures.
The beginning of a modern mythology inspired by one of China's oldest treasures.
Reviews
What Early Readers Are Saying
"I would fly to Macole!"
"I loved Qian because it made me imagine that I had wings too. When my mum asked me where I would fly, I said, 'To Macole!'"
Naomi (8 years old)
That's the magic of stories: they give children a language for the dreams they carry in their hearts.
“I want to be Qian”
"It's spot on for my 8-year-old. But the funny thing is... I loved it too. In fact, I think I want to be Qian myself! With everything changing in my own life right now, I could use a reminder to spread my wings too."
Amitai (Father of a 7-year-old boy)
"It invites children to ask questions"
"What I loved most is that Qian doesn't tell children what to think. It invites them to ask questions, reflect and find their own answers. Those are the kinds of conversations we want to encourage both in the classroom and at home."
Debbie (Elementary School Teacher)